Retailers see mixed results in April

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NEW YORK — The Buckle and Zumiez all reported better-than-expected same-store sales for April, even as concerns about the job market bit into other retailers’ results.

The Buckle, Inc. reported a 6.2% increase in same-store sales for April, well ahead of the 1.5% same-store revenue growth anticipated by Wall Street analysts. The teen apparel retailer also reported year-to-date same-store revenue growth of 1.2% and total sales of $269.7 million, a 2.3% increase.

Zumiez, also a teen fave, reported a 4.6% gain in same-store sales in April, ahead of predictions for a 3.3% increase. Total net sales for the four-week period ended May 4, 2013 increased 12.1% to $43.0 million.

At Costco Wholesale Corp, same-store sales in April rose 4%, just missing estimates, hurt by sharply lower fuel prices compared to last year. Net sales for the four weeks ending May 5 totaled $7.98 million, up 7% from $7.48 million during the same period a year earlier. In addition, Costco reported $69 billion in net sales for the 35 weeks ending May 5, a 9% increase from $63.59 billion a year earlier. Total comparable store sales improved 6% in the same time period.

L Brands (parent of Victoria's Secret) reported smaller-than-expected sales gains in April, as concerns about the job market and the economic recovery continue to concern consumers. At L Brands, same-store sales rose 2%, less than the 4.6% increase analysts had expected.